Grist MCP Server

What is Grist MCP Server?

Grist MCP Server is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables large language models like Claude to access and manipulate data in Grist spreadsheets through the Grist API. It provides a structured interface for performing CRUD operations, querying data, and managing Grist resources directly from AI-assisted workflows.

How to use Grist MCP Server?

Install via uvx mcp-server-grist, pip install mcp-server-grist, or Docker. Set environment variables GRIST_API_KEY and optionally GRIST_API_HOST. Configure your MCP client (e.g., Claude Desktop) with the appropriate JSON settings pointing to the server command (uvx, python, or docker). Start the server with mcp-server-grist or python -m mcp_server_grist with desired transport (stdio, streamable-http, or SSE).

Key features of Grist MCP Server

• List organizations, workspaces, documents, tables, and columns
• Create, read, update, and delete records in Grist tables
• Execute SQL queries (SELECT only) with parameters and timeouts
• Filter and sort data with advanced querying capabilities
• Manage user access to organizations, workspaces, and documents
• Export documents as SQLite, Excel, or CSV; handle attachments and webhooks
• Validate and create safe formulas for columns

Use cases of Grist MCP Server

• Allow an AI assistant to query and update Grist spreadsheets directly
• Automate data management tasks in Grist via natural language commands
• Integrate Grist with external MCP‑compatible applications and workflows
• Perform complex data analysis using SQL queries from within a chat interface
• Manage Grist resources (documents, tables, permissions) programmatically

FAQ from Grist MCP Server

What are the dependencies and runtime requirements?

Python 3.8+ and the packages fastmcp, httpx, pydantic, and python-dotenv are required. You also need a valid Grist API key and access to a Grist instance (cloud or self‑hosted).

What transports are supported?

The server supports stdio, streamable-http, and SSE transports. For HTTP transports you can configure host, port, and path.

How do I authenticate with the Grist API?

Authentication is done via an API key set in the GRIST_API_KEY environment variable. The API key can be obtained from your Grist account settings.

Can I run custom SQL queries?

Yes, the server provides an execute_sql_query tool for arbitrary SELECT queries, including JOINs and subqueries, with configurable parameters and timeout. The server also has a filter_sql_query tool for